Karn Clark, CMP, has advice for anyone
coming to the region, and specifically
Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater and Sarasota:
Get on the water.

Clark, owner of Tampa-based BayArea Destination Management, which stages events
for groups in all these cities, has a number of
water-based activities up her sleeve.

Tampa

“We do Tampa by land and water tours anduse a few Pirate Water Taxis to cruise upand down the Hillsborough River,” Clarksaid. “We go by historic homes, the TampaMuseum of Art, Straz Center for the Per-forming Arts and the unique buildings ofthe University of Tampa, with a stop at Rickson the River for lunch. Our groups love it.”One unique venue visitors will be able toreach by boat, bike and car or via the newTampa River Walk is a 43-acre mixed-usedevelopment in the Tampa Heights neigh-borhood, featuring a repurposed ArmatureWorks Building. Armature Works at theHeights, opening this year, will house theHeights Market with communal seatingsurrounded by restaurants.

“It will be the answer to the latest trendin food halls,” said Kevin Wiatrowski,media relations, Visit Tampa Bay. “Meetinggroups will experience this new collectiveeatery featuring our top local chefs andmixologists,” he said.

In addition, The Heights Market will
include an interactive kitchen, which can
host cooking classes and pop-up dinners in
collaboration with Heights Market tenants.

Constructed of California redwood wine
holding tanks, the 48 enclosed booths have
piped-in music where guests can order one
of more than 50 desserts accompanied by
one of 1,000 dessert wines and spirits.

Across the street from Bern’s at the hipEpicurean Hotel, groups have been knownto have cooking competitions at the Epicu-rean Theatre, replete with a chef’s kitchen.

From building a boat to walking a tightrope, there are myriad activities for
groups to explore in Central
West Florida, in addition
to its variety of dining and
entertainment options.

By Jennifer Juergens

Central West Florida is flush with distinctive adventures and off-sites for groupsPHOTOS, TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT:WATER BIKES, TAMPA BAY; YBOR CITY;